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Brutus

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Clean, malty fruitiness and caramel meet a bitterness like grapefruit peel in this amber lager. It is hopped with Simcoe, Cascade and Northern Brewer. Brutus comes from the independent Maximus brewery in Utrecht and is brewed at 6% ABV. It is rated at 35 IBU.

ABV
6%
Bitterness
Noticeably bitter35 IBU
Citrus hop bitterness
SRM
amber12
PaceTwo or Three
Where this beer sits
Body
lightfull-bodied
Sweetness
drysweet
Bitterness
mildbitter
Texture
crispcreamy
Balance
malt-forwardhop-forward
What makes this beer itself
caramelmaltyclean
caramel
malty
clean
fruity
citrusy
hoppy
Aroma
The nose opens with inviting caramel sweetness and soft, grainy Malz character grounded by the Simcoe and Cascade hops.
not found:juicy,roasted,sour,smoky

Tasting Notes

AI-generated sensory profile for Brutus

◎ Appearance

Brutus presents a clear, burnished amber hue with excellent transparency. The head forms with moderate density and displays fine Schaumhaftung, clinging to the glass in a delicate lace pattern. Carbonation is brisk and well-integrated, lending visual liveliness without aggression.

burnished amberclear, brightfine lacingwell-carbonated

◌ Aroma

The nose opens with inviting caramel sweetness and soft, grainy Malz character grounded by the Simcoe and Cascade hops. Grapefruit peel and subtle citrus notes emerge on a closer inspection, while Northern Brewer adds a spicy, herbal undertone. The overall impression is clean and balanced, with neither malt nor hops dominating.

caramel, graingrapefruit zestspicy herbalclean, balanced

◐ Taste

Entry is smooth and malty, with pronounced caramel and toasted grain flavors building immediately on the palate. Mid-palate reveals a citrusy hop bitterness reminiscent of grapefruit peel, which integrates seamlessly with the underlying Malz sweetness. The 35 IBU provides structural definition without harsh edges, maintaining crisp refreshment throughout.

caramel, toasted graingrapefruit bitternessmalty sweetnesscrisp, balanced

◑ Finish

The finish is of moderate length, with lingering caramel notes yielding gracefully to a dry, citrus-tinged hop aftertaste. The beer closes smooth and refreshing, inviting the next sip.

dry, citrusmoderate length
78
hopIQ score
Aroma
78
Taste
80
Appearance
78
Finish
76
Serve at 4–7°C

Serve at 4–7°C for the best flavour balance and aroma expression.

Stein

The sturdy German stein maintains temperature and keeps carbonation intact. Built for long, convivial drinking.

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Food Pairing

What to eat with Brutus

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About Amber Lager

Style guide · what to expect · how to find alternatives

What is a Amber Lager?

Amber Lager is a distinctive beer style with its own characteristic flavour, aroma and colour. Discover what makes it unique and find similar beers on hopIQ.

Finding a similar Amber Lager

hopIQ matches by flavor profile — not just style label. A beer with the same caramel, malty, clean character as Brutus will score highly even if brewed in a different country or under a different sub-style name.

Compare with another beer →Explore all Amber Lager beers in hopIQ →Browse Netherlands beers →